Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-07-14
JOHN THE BAPTIST.
EXPLANATORY NOTES BY REV. r.
S. M'ARTHUR, D. o.


Matthew, still sdhering to his design Of
showing the harmony between the facts Of
Christ's life and the Old Testament prophe-
cies regarding his character and mission, pro-
ceeds now to speak Of the ministry Of John
the Baptist Seldom has this noble man had
full justice. His humanity is as marked as his
bravery and conservation. A careful study
of the lesson for today cannot fail to be help
full to teachers and pupils alike, as it illus
trates the character and work OF John. All
teachers and preachers may gladly learn
from the noble Baptist to decrease that Christ
may increase; to be nothing that he may be
everything; to be only voice proclaiming
his glory and directing men to him as the
lamb of God.
" l. In those days, etc.-The days here
mentioned are those during which Christ was
living in obscurity in Nazareth. He was
there subject to his parents; he was there as
the perfect boy, a more difficult conception
than that Of the perfect man; he was there
not merely as the carpenters son, but as a
carpenter. This fact ought to give inspira-
tion, patience and wisdom to every true
workingman. Christ is his best friend. A
period Of about twenty-seven years passed
between the time of Christ's going to Naza-
reth and the beginning of Johns ministry. At
the age of IL we have our Lords brief visit to
Jerusalem with his parents. Again the cur
tain falls; again the silence becomes almost
complete We have the suggestive sentence
that Jesus Increased in wisdom and knowl-
edge and in favor with God and man" This
silence is remarkable. No miracle is record
ed; no glory is displayed; no heavenly voice
is heard. This silence, too, is vocal to the
thoughtful student. 1t teaches valuable les
sons of patience, submission and preparation.
Came John the Baptist.-The word HJohn"
means one whom Jehovah has graciously
given. John was six months the senior Of
Jesus.
V. 2. Repent.-This word means, as its
composition implies, afterthought, reflection,
then change Of mind. A comparison Of
passages where the word is found will add
other ideas to this one, e. e.. sorrow for and
forsaking of sin, turning to God and change
in the course of life. Another word is found
in the New Testament and translated "re-
pent,' but this does not so much denote a
change of mind as sorrow and remorse be-
cause of the consequences Of the act per-
formed.
Kingdom Of Heaven.-This is Matthew'sex-
preston. The other evangelists say the king.
dom of God, elsewhere in the New Testament
the kingdom of Christ, or simply the king
dom, we often find. The prophets generally
spoke Of the Messiah as the king. This is par
ticularly true of Daniel 1t thus came to
pass that the words kingdom of heaven came
to stand for the reign of the Messiah. The
ancient government of Gods people was theo-
cratic; in the full sense of its meaning it was.
the kingdom of God. The people misunder-
stood the significance of the language. New
ertheless it contained truth. Christ and his
apostles restored the term to its true meaning.
Christ is king; all truth is his realm. His
kingdom IS not Of this world; it is spiritual;
every believers heart is his throne; the king
dom begins in each regenerated heart; its
meaning is extended to include all such per-
sons in the world; it is extended further to
include all saints in glory. It will have its
grand consummation when every knee bows
to Christ and every tongue confesses that he
is Lord. Although John may have enter
tanned many partial views of Christ, he at
least understood the spiritual nature of his
kingdom. 1t is now drawing near; it is at
hand.
V. 8. This quotation is from lisa. Il, s. In
John i, %, the Baptist applies the prediction
to himself. The eastern custom of sending
messengers before kings to level hills, fill val
leys, ETC., gives rise to this figure. The same
thing is done still when the sultans and
others of rank make their journeys through
these wild and uninhabited regions. The
stones have to be gathered out, crooked
places made straight, and rough places plain.
So John went before Jesus.
Y. f. Johns Dress.-He was the Elijah of
his day. The coarse outer garment was the
prophets dress The long shaggy hair of
the camel furnished material for his raiment
Mantles of this material, it is said, are still
worn by Arab guides who conduct travellers,
and by shepherds who watch their focks on
the Judean hills. Girdles were a necessity;
flowing garments had to be bound about the
loins when the wearer was walking or work
ing. His food was locusts, closely resem-
bling grasshoppers. To the Jew they were
clean. They might be eaten roasted or
boiled; often they were salted and preserved.
They are still eaten by the poorer classes.
The wild honey could readily be found in the
rocks and trees Of the wilderness.
VS.. Jerusalem and all Judea.-The people
came in large numbers; not every one, but
very many. Such language is scommon today.
V. 6. Baptized in the river Jordan
las the New Version gives itl.-The Jordan,
or the Descender. is a river Of Palestine: ris-
ing near the base of Mount Hermon. it unites
with other streams before it enters the Lake
of Huleh; leaving this lake, it flows nine
miles to the Sen of Galilee. 1t is said that its
course can be traced through this sea for
mile; thence it continues its crooked way to
the Dead Sea. Baptism by John in these
flowing waters was accompanied by the con-
fession Of sin.
vs. TO Pharisees and Sadducees
these sects originated about $50 years before
Christ; both had their origin in worthy as
pirations; both had now greatly degenerated.
The Pharisees observed rigidly the letter of
the law, and they became intolerant and self
righteous. The Sadducees rightly rejected
tradition, but they also wrongly denied I'M
portant truths; they were largely made up
of men Of wealth and learning. This preacher
used great plainness of speech. Brood offspring
of vipers is strong language. Wrath to come
is primarily that which came on the Jewish
nation at the destruction of Jerusalem; and
fully at the Judgment on the great day will
come on all the wicked. Fruits meet, etc
Their course Of life must show the genuine
ness of their repentance; sins must be for
saken as well as confessed. Abraham our
father.-Men cannot be saved, so John con
tinues. on the faith and worth of others.
Hereditary privileges cannot be substituted
for personal character; religion is personal
possession.
VS.. IL, IL. Baptize you with Water.-The
baptism administered by John implied that
all its subjects should live new life. Johns
successor was Jesus. Johns humility is
beautifully suggested here. To take of the
sandals and wash the feet were duties of the
most meniel servant; it was the work of a
slave just entering the service Of new master.
Bap6ze you in the Holy Ghost and Fire
This is the literal rendering. This statement
was verified on the day OF Pentecost-Sun-
day School World.
A Good Dsacon's Earnest Confession.
An old deacon was asked the other day:
"How do you like your pastorI" First rate"
he replied, 'except in one thing" whats
thatIn "It is this" continued the deacon,
''the Lord never made him to tell jokes, and